Grandmaster Crimi and Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu ® " Magical Mystery Tour Europe 2007" When Grandmaster Crimi talks about taking his system, Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu®, on tour to England and France during May and June of 2007, his remarks center on the outstanding hospitality he received during his stay at various points in England and Paris. Again and again he was treated beyond his expectations. In his own words, he was "treated like royalty." Every seminar was an outstanding success, eager students flocked to learn a fraction of his art, and at every turn he received smiles and hard work. Teachers and students alike worked tirelessly to ensure that the best care was taken of Grandmaster Crimi at all times. In particular, it was Tom Whitehead Hanshi, a dear friend of Dr. Crimi Hanshi's from past years, who made a very special effort on Grandmaster Crimi's behalf with regular phone calls when he was out of their area and staunch dedication when he was with him. Although everyone Grandmaster Crimi encountered on his visit displayed the utmost generosity and affection towards him, Tom Whitehead Hanshi really went above and beyond for Dr. Crimi, Hanshi. His
trip began on the 1st of May as Grandmaster Crimi arrived in London to begin his
month and a half tour of Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu® in England and France.
Upon arrival, Dr. Crimi Hanshi spent the first two days in London and was delighted
by a surprise phone call from his adopted son, Senior Master Days, also one of
Grandmaster Crimi's high ranking black belts, holding a Yodan in Hikari Ryuza
Ryu Jujutsu®. Senior Master Days lives in the Bay Area and had not been able
to see his father in many months. He contacted Professor Geary at the Hombu Dojo
and collected Grandmaster Crimi's contact information in Hemel Hemstead. The next day, the 3rd of May, Grandmaster Crimi was scheduled to be picked up from Hemel Hemstead and brought to Hornchurch, Essex by Mike Farmer Shihan where he would begin the first of numerous seminars across the country. To his delight, Grandmaster Crimi was joined by his son and was able to spend the day with Senior Master Days (who by the way is friends with Superman); a long awaited opportunity. That evening, Farmer Shihan took Dr. Crimi Hanshi and Senior Master Days out to dinner. Grandmaster Crimi was able to spend the rest of the evening with his son before they parted ways, Senior Master to continue travels for his company, and Grandmaster Crimi to begin his seminars on Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu®.
Sunday morning, 4th of May, Grandmaster Crimi was picked up by Farmer Shihan to teach his first seminar on Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tanto No Maki® (scroll of the knife). He was greeted by twenty eager students and was commended over six hours of training with lots of smiles and hard work. Dr. Crimi Hanshi described the group as "wonderful students; absolutely great people!" At the end of the seminar, Grandmaster Crimi presented each student with a certificate of participation in Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tanto No Maki® signed by him and co-signed by Professor Shizumi Geary.
Grandmaster
Crimi spent the next day in Hemel Hemstead, starting the day with proper English
tea with Farmer Shihan ( a wonderful gentleman). On Tuesday, 6th of May, he was
picked up by Jonathan Staples Sifu. Sifu Staples drove five hours from Warrington
just to give Dr. Crimi Hanshi a personal ride to Blackpool so that he could avoid
public transportation.
The hotel owners, Paul and Richard, were delighted to see Grandmaster Crimi, as was he them. Over the years Paul, Richard and Dr. Crimi Hanshi have become dear friends and Paul
and Richard
always take the best care of him when he comes to their area. During his stay in Blackpool, he was thrilled to spend a number of days with two of his closest friends, Tom and Norma Whitehead Hanshi. On Thursday, 10th of May, Grandmaster Crimi was again picked up from Blackpool by Sifu Staples and taken to Warrington where he was scheduled to teach his next two seminars that weekend. Sifu Staples and his wife, Helen, opened up their home to Dr. Crimi Hanshi for the duration of his stay in Warrington, demonstrating immense graciousness and care for their guest. On Saturday, 12th of May, Grandmaster Crimi taught a five hour seminar on Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tsue no Maki® (scroll of the walking stick)
and on Sunday, 13th of May, he taught another five hour seminar on Hikari Ryuza Ryu PCT® (pain compliance techniques), which is part of a course he has run many times for Law Enforcement all over the United States. Grandmaster Crimi commended Sifu Staples' students on their outstanding attitude, commenting that "they endured two days of pain and kept smiling. Very tough!"
This was demonstrated at the end of the second seminar when the students hailed for more! They asked Grandmaster Crimi to teach them the figure four carotid artery choke. Grandmaster Crimi was happy to oblige, but also insisted on teaching them Hikari Ryuza Ryu Katsu-ho® (resuscitation techniques). He stressed adamantly that one must never learn how to choke someone unconscious without also learning how to revive them, spelling out the fact that one is dealing with another person's mortality.
Dr. Crimi Hanshi also noted what a wonderful gym the students had to practice their art in. Over the two days of seminars, Grandmaster Crimi happily presented fifty certificates: one for participating in Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tsue No Maki® and one for participating in Hikari Ryuza Ryu PCT®.
During Dr. Crimi Hanshi's stay in Warrington with Sifu Staples and his wife, Helen, they again went above and beyond in taking care of Grandmaster Crimi. They helped fulfill one of his longest held dreams; visiting the birthplace of his all time favorite music group, The Beatles. Sifu Staples and Helen happily drove Grandmaster to Liverpool
and took him everywhere he wanted to see, including a museum
packed with Beatles paraphernalia, the little pub called "The Cavern" where The Beatles made their first appearance,
and of course Penny Lane and the legendary Strawberry Fields
and last but not least the home of Grandmasters favorite John Lennon. On Monday, 14th of May, it came time for Grandmaster Crimi to move ahead and Sifu Staples continued his pattern of exemplary service and drove Dr. Crimi Hanshi two hours back to Blackpool where he was looking forward to a week of visiting with dear friends including Paul and Richard at the Corona Hotel, Tom and Norma Whitehead Hanshi and Don and Gill Clapham. Don Clapham,
the Councillor for Bispham, Blackpool, was the man who presented Dr. Crimi Hanshi with a key to the city when he visited Blackpool in 2004. As anticipated, Grandmaster Crimi spent the week at Blackpool thoroughly enjoying himself and being treated "like royalty". On Wednesday, 16th of May, he went to lunch at the University of Blackpool where Paul, one of the owners of the Corona Hotel, works as a service instructor. On Saturday, Paul and Richard again displayed their enthusiasm for Grandmaster Crimi's visit by taking him out to dinner to thank him for staying with them.
On Sunday, Dr. Crimi Hanshi went for a Sunday joint (traditional Sunday roast) at Tom and Norma Whitehead Hanshi's home. That same evening he presented them certificates from ATAMA/ITAMA (American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts/International Teachers Association of the Martial Arts), welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead Hanshi into the ATAMA/ITAMA family.
Grandmaster Crimi describes the Whitehead Hanshi's as "exceptional Martial Artists and wonderful people", also reiterating how honored he was to welcome them "into the family". He believes implicitly in Tom and Norma Whitehead Hanshi. After the week of good cheer with good friends, Grandmaster Crimi set out to Norfolk via train (which was an eleven hour trip) to meet Kevin Pell Hanshi for his next two seminars. Again, when Dr. Crimi Hanshi arrived in Norfolk, he was greeted with the finest welcome by Pell Hanshi and his wife, Teresa, along with their brood of four enormous dogs! They keep 3 Shepherds and a Rottweiler.
It was this king of a dog that took a particular liking to Dr. Crimi Hanshi and even tried to be a lap dog, leading him to a chair and hopping up on his lap. Grandmaster Crimi said "and that was no small dog!" Grandmaster also said he pondered how he was going to fit this one in his luggage to take home with him. Keeping with the pattern of exceptional hospitality that Grandmaster Crimi experienced while touring Europe, Pell Hanshi and Teresa gave him their own master bedroom for the duration of his stay. Grandmaster Crimi states that they are a "most gracious couple!" and their welcome of him was just "over the top". The next day, Grandmaster Crimi was given a tour of Pell Hanshi's fantastic dojo,
home and gardens.
His dojo holds the traditions of ancient Japan with a spattering of Laurel and Hardy homage. Dr. Crimi Hanshi was entertained, shown around the area and treated "like royalty" once again during his entire stay in Norfolk with Pell Hanshi and Teresa. On Saturday, 26th of May, Grandmaster Crimi taught Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tanto No Maki® (scroll of the knife) and Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tanju No Maki® (scroll of the gun) to an eager group of Pell Hanshi's students, almost all of whom were black belts or upper ranks.
At the end of the seminars on Saturday Dr. Crimi Hanshi presented Pell Hanshi with certificates from the ATAMA/ITAMA(the American Teachers Association of the Martial Arts/the International Teachers Association of the Martial Arts and welcomed him to the ATAMA/ITAMA family.
Kevin Pell Hanshi also took this opportunity to make a presentation of his own, presenting the Grandmaster with a very special ceremonial Tanto encrusted in 22 carat gold. Pell Hanshi was not one to be left out of the fun. The entire weekend he was "in the trenches" with his students; an act he would be thankful for on Sunday, when Dr. Crimi taught Hikari Ryuza Ryu Katsu-ho® (resuscitation techniques) and Hikari Ryuza Ryu Seikufujitsu Amma® (Massage).
And again, at the end of another vibrant seminar, Grandmaster Crimi was honored to present each student with certificates of participation in Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tanto No Maki®, Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tanju No Maki®, Hikari Ryuza Ryu Katsu-ho® and Hikari Ryuza Ryu Seikufujitsu®. Grandmaster Crimi did say that "the Ishin Ryu students could be students of Hikari Ryuza Ryu." He also said "they were some of the best he has ever had the pleasure to teach!" Congratulations to Pell Hanshi on his body of work!
Also a special thanks to Andy Herbert who was uki for the Grandmaster most of the weekend and kept smiling! The happy and energetic group of students, Pell Hanshi and Dr. Crimi Hanshi went out to dinner that evening to celebrate the completion of Grandmaster Crimi's courses and absolutely took over the pub where they dined with merriment and that unstoppable Martial Arts energy!
During the next few days, Grandmaster Crimi had a wonderful time with Pell Hanshi and Teresa spent relaxing, traveling to the ocean and to Norfolk and being taken to "the best coy farm in England".
On Tuesday, 29th of May, Dr. Crimi Hanshi said his goodbyes to Pell Hanshi and Mrs. Pell at the train station and traveled back to London. When he arrived he had a few days stay in London before he traveled to Paris, France. He stayed at the Charing Cross Hotel
and could not speak highly enough of his stay there. Grandmaster Crimi said he was "completely pampered" by the staff and he was even compelled to write several references for a number of staff members. Dr. Crimi Hanshi enjoyed every privilege of staying in the heart of London.
Every site was in view from his window and many within walking distance.
On Thursday, 31st of May, Grandmaster Crimi rode the Eurostar to Paris, France where he was greeted by Hugh Roberts and Patrick Perier, two of Surace Hanshi's high ranking black belts and two of Dr. Crimi Hanshi's dearest friends. Mr. Roberts and Mr. Perier demonstrated outstanding hospitality in previous years as they did this year. They personally took Grandmaster Crimi to his hotel and out to dinner that evening to welcome him to France. The next day, Grandmaster Crimi met with Roberta Grossi, yet another friend he was very pleased to reunite with.
That day, Roberta asked Grandmaster Crimi to be a Professor on staff at the Horizons University in France; a position he accepted. That afternoon, Grandmaster Crimi met with Patrick for lunch before he was scheduled to teach his first seminar that evening on Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tsue No Maki® (scroll of the walking stick) and Senkotiros ®, a Philippine weapon system developed by one of Dr. Crimi Hanshi's closest friends, Grandmaster Max Pallen.
On Saturday morning, 2nd of June, Grandmaster Crimi taught his last formal seminar on Hikari Ryuza Ryu Tanju no Maki® (scroll of the gun). Most of the students had attended Dr. Crimi Hanshi's seminar last year, and there where new, eager faces this year. He says that Surace Hanshi's students were "some of the best, hardworking students I've had the privilege to teach, with lots of questions!"
After his last seminar, Grandmaster Crimi spent the afternoon with Patrick, Hugh, Roberta and the students.
That evening, Dr. Crimi Hanshi was invited to Patrick's home for dinner with him and his family; his wife Bridgette and their two sons, five year old Thomas and two year old Alexander. It was this particular little tot that absolutely made Grandmaster Crimi's entire trip! It was after dinner and the boys were just going to bed when little Alexander ran to Dr. Crimi Hanshi's chair, hopped up on his lap, and kissed him on each cheek "like a perfect little Frenchman!" and ran off to bed. Already glowing from the affection of little Alexander, Grandmaster Crimi settled in for the evening with the adults. About a half hour later, however, Alexander poked his nose around the corner and whispered something to his Papa in French. Patrick turned to Grandmaster Crimi and announced that little Alexander said he would not be able to sleep until he had given Dr. Crimi a kiss on the nose! Grandmaster Crimi was happy to oblige, and once again Alexander hopped up on his lap and kissed him on the tip of his nose with perfect little lips. He was not heard from again that night, and Grandmaster Crimi quietly melted into a puddle. Sunday morning and afternoon was spent with one of Grandmaster Crimi's favorite pass times; philosophical discussion. Dr. Crimi Hanshi and Hugh spent the bulk of the day discussing life, the Universe and beyond, an incredible bonding experience for both men of the Martial Arts. The last day of Dr. Crimi Hanshi's stay in Paris, he was able to spend time with all three of his dear friends; Roberta, Patrick and Hugh. That morning, Grandmaster Crimi taught his very last seminar; an impromptu class on Hikari Ryuza Ryu Shokyu Yawara® in Roberta's living room with three eager students. Later that day, Grandmaster Crimi visited Montmartre
in Paris; the quintessential artist "hang out", with Hugh and Patrick. This is the area of Paris that boasts such talents as Dali, Monet and Picasso. Today, street artists ply their trade by offering to paint, sketch and draw tourists, or whoever wishes to employ their services. Here Patrick,
Hugh
and Dr. Crimi Hanshi enjoyed lunch before Hugh was scheduled to catch a train that afternoon. After goodbyes were said, Patrick and Grandmaster Crimi attended a classical music concert at a local nunnery.
The day was joyously spent, and that afternoon Grandmaster Crimi once again caught the Eurostar back to London, where the next day he was scheduled to fly home. Before he left, however, Patrick made it very clear to Dr. Crimi Hanshi that Patrick's home was his home, and he and any member of his family were welcome to stay with him at any time. Yet another example of the many kind gestures that Grandmaster Crimi received while overseas. Europe was thrilled to welcome Grandmaster Crimi and Hikari Ryuza Ryu Jujutsu® in 2007 and Dr. Crimi Hanshi was again thrilled to show a portion of his art, his life-long passion, to a piece of the world. The people he has come to love and connect with continue to demonstrate their own love for Grandmaster Crimi by extending immeasurable hospitality and good will, and of course he was privileged to make new connections and new friends this year: and everyone is clamoring to get him back next year. However, Professor Geary, Grandmaster Crimi's most staunch and dedicated student, has made it abundantly clear that they cannot keep him! It's been accepted, though reluctantly. "I would like to extend my heart felt thanks to all of my friends in England and France. The tour was very magical indeed and in a few cases a little mysterious. Thank you once again and all my love!" Dr. Crimi © 2007 Dr. Crimi and Ingrid Turner |
